GB2086328A - Vehicle Battery Charging Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle's storage batteries are automatically charged by utilising the available energy, which dissipates in a moving vehicle's suspension arrangement. Fluid pumps are fixed to the underframe and the pumps operating mechanism is connected with the axles or suspensions to be operated by the inter-action of the vehicle's weight and vertical travel of the road wheels. The pumps are double-acting and deliver pressure fluid at the deflection and rebound progressions of the suspension springs. A sequence of rigid and flexible pipelines, incorporating a pressure control valve convey fluid from the supply tank to feed the pumps and direct the pressed fluid from each pump into a pipe manifold to unite and emerge as a single stream into the intake of a hydraulic turbine. Spent fluid returns to the supply tank. The turbine is coupled to an electric alternator in circuit with control apparatus and the vehicle batteries.

Description

SPECIFICATION Means of Charging Storage Batteries from an Independent Source in a Moving Vehicle This invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively to battery powered vehicles. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a means of actuating battery charging apparatus of the class described. Another object is toprovide novel means of generating electricity in a moving vehicle. A further object is to reduce the application of industrial energy and commercial fuel as presently required -- as a vehicle propellant. A still further object is to harness the latent and inherent energy contained in a vehicles suspension system. Stated generally, this invention aims to improve and enhance the potential of the vehicles to which it refers.

According to this invention, pump or compressor assemblies designed preferably to merge with a vehicle's planned layout and constructed to draw and impel fluid or air are important parts of the invention. Fluid S.A.E. 10, or the like is the preferred element. An example of an embodiment of the invention is detailed in the following paragraphs.

Said fluid pump assemblies may be materially identical in construction. The body, a hollow steel cylinder open at one end. The inner surface of the cylinder wall the working surface for a piston with rings and connecting rod assembly, of a type well known in pumps. The connecting rod's shaft, cylindrical in form may at the free end have a morse taper and screw thread cut at the extremity to connect and retain a couple.

The cylinder closing plate may have a conventional bush bearing with fluid seals, built into an orifice, made around the centre point of the plate, to permit the sliding motion of the connecting rod.

The closing plate may be secured to the cylinder with customary threaded studs welded or screwed to the cylinder body.

The contact faces of cylinder and closing plate may accommodate a joint gasket. At the extremities of the cylinder body and preferably oppositely positioned about the periphery of the pressure chamber two ports may be drilled and tapped through the cylinder wall into each pressure chamber. Metal adaptors, housing inlet or outlet spring loaded non-return valves, may by screwed into the respective ports and connected with its relative fluid supply or turbine conduits.

Said fluid pump assemblies may be fixed in a vertical position or suitably aligned to a vehicles underframe one or more associated with each leading and trailing road axles or wheel suspension mechanisms according to a vehicle's type. Aforesaid pumps double-action reciprocating motion may be linked at midstroke to the axles or suspensions when spring camber is at a normal static position. This configuration may transmit the vertical movements of the road wheels to the pumps and cause the discharge of pressed fluid during both the deflection and rebound progressions of the suspension springs whilst the vehicle is in motion. Each of the aforenamed pumps may draw fluid via conduits which may be formed of either rigid or flexible pipework or combination of both from a common tank or reservoir.The pressed fluid discharged from each pump may be communicated through like conduits to unite in a manifold in which may be incorporated a pressure relief. Excess fluid may return to the supply reservoir. Fluid on exit from the manifold may proceed via a conduit to enter the lead-in port of a hydraulic turbine/alternator in the vehicle installed adjacent to and at a higher level from the supply reservoir. The generator output terminals may be connected to control apparatus appropriate to a vehicle's electrical system.

Spent turbine fluid may gravitate via a conduit direct to the supply reservoir.

Claims

1. Means for charging batteries automatically from an independent source in a moving vehicle.

Characterised by pumps associated with a vehicle's suspension utilising the interaction of the latent and gravitational forces.

2. Means for charging batteries according to claim 1. Characterised by harnessing and uniting the energy introduced from each of a vehicle's road wheel suspensions.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Means of Charging Storage Batteries from an Independent Source in a Moving Vehicle This invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively to battery powered vehicles. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a means of actuating battery charging apparatus of the class described. Another object is toprovide novel means of generating electricity in a moving vehicle. A further object is to reduce the application of industrial energy and commercial fuel as presently required -- as a vehicle propellant. A still further object is to harness the latent and inherent energy contained in a vehicles suspension system. Stated generally, this invention aims to improve and enhance the potential of the vehicles to which it refers. According to this invention, pump or compressor assemblies designed preferably to merge with a vehicle's planned layout and constructed to draw and impel fluid or air are important parts of the invention. Fluid S.A.E. 10, or the like is the preferred element. An example of an embodiment of the invention is detailed in the following paragraphs. Said fluid pump assemblies may be materially identical in construction. The body, a hollow steel cylinder open at one end. The inner surface of the cylinder wall the working surface for a piston with rings and connecting rod assembly, of a type well known in pumps. The connecting rod's shaft, cylindrical in form may at the free end have a morse taper and screw thread cut at the extremity to connect and retain a couple. The cylinder closing plate may have a conventional bush bearing with fluid seals, built into an orifice, made around the centre point of the plate, to permit the sliding motion of the connecting rod. The closing plate may be secured to the cylinder with customary threaded studs welded or screwed to the cylinder body. The contact faces of cylinder and closing plate may accommodate a joint gasket. At the extremities of the cylinder body and preferably oppositely positioned about the periphery of the pressure chamber two ports may be drilled and tapped through the cylinder wall into each pressure chamber. Metal adaptors, housing inlet or outlet spring loaded non-return valves, may by screwed into the respective ports and connected with its relative fluid supply or turbine conduits. Said fluid pump assemblies may be fixed in a vertical position or suitably aligned to a vehicles underframe one or more associated with each leading and trailing road axles or wheel suspension mechanisms according to a vehicle's type. Aforesaid pumps double-action reciprocating motion may be linked at midstroke to the axles or suspensions when spring camber is at a normal static position. This configuration may transmit the vertical movements of the road wheels to the pumps and cause the discharge of pressed fluid during both the deflection and rebound progressions of the suspension springs whilst the vehicle is in motion. Each of the aforenamed pumps may draw fluid via conduits which may be formed of either rigid or flexible pipework or combination of both from a common tank or reservoir.The pressed fluid discharged from each pump may be communicated through like conduits to unite in a manifold in which may be incorporated a pressure relief. Excess fluid may return to the supply reservoir. Fluid on exit from the manifold may proceed via a conduit to enter the lead-in port of a hydraulic turbine/alternator in the vehicle installed adjacent to and at a higher level from the supply reservoir. The generator output terminals may be connected to control apparatus appropriate to a vehicle's electrical system. Spent turbine fluid may gravitate via a conduit direct to the supply reservoir. Claims

1. Means for charging batteries automatically from an independent source in a moving vehicle.

Characterised by pumps associated with a vehicle's suspension utilising the interaction of the latent and gravitational forces.

2. Means for charging batteries according to claim 1. Characterised by harnessing and uniting the energy introduced from each of a vehicle's road wheel suspensions.